Characteristics: A revered medicinal mushroom also known as the lingzhi mushroom, roughly meaning ‘herb of spiritual potency’ (Benzie, 2011).

History: Reishi mushroom has been recognised as a medicine in China for over 2000 years. It is traditionally used to replenish Qi (life force in TCM), ease the mind, and relieve cough and asthma, and it is recommended for dizziness, insomnia, palpitation, and shortness of breath (Benzie, 2011). It is known as the mushroom of immortality and was thought by Chinese doctors to increase the duration of lifespan (Babu, 2008). It is one of the Chinese supreme herbs and so thought by their medical system to be free of toxic side effects. For many centuries, it was on available to the wealthy elite in China because it was so rare, however in the 20th century in became easy to cultivate and now is available affordably around the world.

Current applications: Reishi is a powerful adaptogenic herb which is calming to the nervous system. Reishi is less stimulating than schisandra and more like ashwagandha. It is suited to people prone to insomnia, and may help treat it. Maria Groves mentions it strengthens immune function with applications in cancer, chronic infections, and chronic inflammation (Groves, 2016). It fights fatigue and decreases stress, it may be valuable in chronic pain, protecting liver and heart function, decreasing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and protecting nerve and brain function.

David Winston applies it in cases of ‘shen disruption’ or loss of emotional balance that result in anxiety, insomnia, bad dreams, and poor mood and memory (Winston, 2007). He applies it alongside other nervine, adaptogenic, or sedative herbs that are indicated for the patient. It is also useful for individuals with fatigue, weakness, short breath, neurasthenia, and dizziness. It may be helpful in allergies alongside tulsi.

Science: Reishi appears to have a wide range of pharmacological activities. These include anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, and anti-microbial properties (Babu, 2008). A recent PNAS paper (Liao et al., 2013) found that reishi polyscharrides stimulated antibodies against cancer cells in mice and also down-regulated tumour related inflammatory mediators. One study indicated that reishi increases the lifespan of mice (Wu et al., 2011). Another study found in Nature Communications observed reishi reduced weight gain in mice through acting as a prebiotic and modulating gut flora (Chang et al., 2015). These studies in experimental models point to the broad medicinal potential of reishi as traditional knowledge also indicates.

Form: The fruiting body of the mushroom (above ground), not the mycelium (roots), is the part of the mushroom traditionally used for medicine. To save money and speed up the process, some companies will grow the mushroom mycelium on a bed of grain, and then grind the two together and package it, before the fruiting body has a chance to develop.

I use a dual extract (hot water and alcohol) from the fruiting body of log grown reishi to maximise triterpenes. Good reishi extract has a bitter taste because of the triterpenes.

Anti-inflammatory activity: Reishi has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in an airway inflammation model in vivo (Liu et al., 2003).

Anti-tumour activity: Reishi has been found to have anti-tumour activity (Wang et al., 1997) and on breast and prostate cancer cells (Sliva et al., 2003), both ex vivo.

Anti-tumour activity(II): One study, published in PNAS, examined the mechanism of anti-tumour action of reishi in mice (Liao et al., 2013). A reishi polysaccharide fraction induced antibodies against murine Lewis lung carcinoma cells. This resulted in increased antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and also reduction of tumor-associated inflammatory molecules.

Longevity: One study on normal mice found they lived longer if taking reishi, they used a patented extract called ReishiMax (Wu et al., 2011). This was a preliminary report as the study was not finished.

Obesity: A study published in Nature Communications showed that mice on a high fat diet fed with reishi actually gained less weight than those without reishi (Chang et al., 2015). Reishi appears to act as a prebiotic modulating the gut flora to exert this effect.

Rheumatoid arthritis: A study (n = 65, double blind placebo controlled) did not find Reishi effective in reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, but they did find it was safe, well tolerated, and may well reduce pain after 6 months (Li et al., 2007). Dose was 4g per day, but was used together with other TCM herbs and western medicines (DMARDS). No harmful interactions were noted.

Advanced stage cancer: A study (n = 34, observational study) found a patented extract of Reishi appeared to enhance immune activity in advanced stage cancer patients. While conclusive evidence is yet to be presented, a recent review of several studies (Gao et al., 2003), suggested Reishi could be administered as a complement to conventional treatment in consideration of its ability to stimulate host immunity. Reishi is often recommended by Naturopaths and Asian Physicians as a complementary therapy for cancer patients.

Crohn’s disease: A study (n = 27, open label, no control group) found an extract of reishi inhibited expression of inflammatory cytokines (inc. TNF-alpha) in both PBMCs and inflamed Crohn’ disease colonic mucosa (Liu et al., 2015). A well controlled study is required.